Posts by boldnomad45

rustytrucker37 said:Haha... well, I suppose I agree with that! But I was pointing out how it was supposed to work. It just isn't practical...
But fine, whatever. Anyway, if any of you folks have old documents lying around or remember how things used to be handled, try to get everything squared away now so we don't run into these kinds of messes again 😁

They supposedly sent our supplemental insurance notices to some old address because of an unpaid bill from years ago. My current address is updated everywhere—the DMV, the IRS, Social Security. But not with the supplemental insurer.🙂 Exactly. People couldn't care less if they updated their info with the health department; apparently, you have to notify the private insurers too. 🙂)) This country is falling apart.

blueotter28 said:Either they target someone who was actually a decent person during their life, ensuring they get kicked out to a nursing home 😬

That's irrelevant. It isn't about whether someone is good or bad. It's simply that sometimes you need 24-hour coverage, and that isn't always feasible.

blueotter28 said:People who soak up other people's suffering like a sponge really ought to be working in service to others, but they almost always run straight into leeches in the real world. Since they don't have any defense mechanisms in place, they just end up getting hurt by everyone.

Honestly, I feel like giving yourself an imaginary slap in the face whenever you start spiraling into nothing but pure pity. Our society isn't actually as bad as everyone tries to make it out to be. Most of the time, we’re just dealing with a bunch of predators, and people constantly try to paint the situation as being way worse than it actually is.

I wouldn't go that far. But when you walk into a hospital and see how people are treated, it breaks your heart. Or go to a nursing home in downtown Chicago, and you'll see what it's really like. Pure misery. People worked their entire lives, and their only mistake was being born here instead of somewhere like Germany. Unless you have to deal with this reality personally—hospitals, ERs, short-staffed clinics, the total neglect of elder care—you won't get it. When I see the corruption, the cronyism, and the connections that allow some elderly woman with no money or influence to wait five hours for a checkup or thirteen years for a state facility, it's sickening. Even seeing how local nursing homes look—which are actually decent compared to the rest of America—it hurts to see public funds poured into stadiums and religious monuments instead. It hurts.
Lucky is the one with enough money to bypass our system entirely so they never have to experience it firsthand.
It's pathetic.

Carl Rivera43 said:I’m 27 years old, and honestly, I feel pretty lonely more often than I’d like to admit—even though I’ve actually become way more social than I used to be. The real kicker is that it seems like my intentions and my actions constantly get totally misinterpreted by everyone else.

So, how does one actually find a more liberated way of living? How do I build up enough grit to face life head-on?

There isn't one. If you aren't just another face in the crowd—if you actually have an intellect and refuse to be mediocre—people are going to misread you. That's why most people keep their mouths shut and stick to small talk about football, the weather, cooking, kids, or work. You eventually just get tired of defending your perspective.

Paul Rogers94 said:A deep movie? Please. It’s nothing more than a collection of someone's shallow, half-baked personal opinions.

That’s exactly why it’s a bestseller. It's made for mediocrity.

Great topic. August, Osage County.

Rachel Brooks4 said:My doctor referred me for inhalation allergy testing. She mentioned I should head over to the area across from the Mayo Clinic where they handle those tests. She assumes you don't need an appointment, but I'm not sure. Does anyone know exactly where I need to go or who I should call for details? Apparently, it's in the old health center building. Since we just moved to Chicago, any info would be appreciated. Is this part of Mercy Hospital, or am I getting everything mixed up?

Glad I checked this. That's exactly what I need to figure out, and I have no clue where to go. I'm seeing a pulmonologist there this Friday. This forum is a lifesaver.

Opening this thread because I’ve been out on medical leave for five weeks now. It started with a sinus infection—bacteria came back positive for Klebsiella pneumoniae. I took some Augmentin, but then the extreme fatigue and chest pains kicked in. Had a Ventolin test and spirometry done; results were underwhelming. Bloodwork showed normal CRP levels, so they're calling it bronchitis.
For treatment, I was prescribed two different inhalers—one for my nose and one for my lungs. Now I'm just inhaling and resting. My primary care physician isn't keen on starting another round of antibiotics yet; she'd rather keep me on disability so I actually rest.
I went back for another nasal swab, and Klebsiella wasn't there this time. Instead, it's Citrobacter koseri/amalonaticus.

What worries me is whether it’s possible to have bronchitis or even pneumonia if my CRP levels are fine. I’ve been stuck in bed for five weeks. I feel slightly better, then the heaviness and chest pain return, along with this total weakness. My doctor listened to my lungs and says she can still hear something, so I need to stay off work. My sinuses are still mildly inflamed.

Should I be worried that this might actually be pneumonia? I haven't had any imaging done on my lungs yet. And should I be pushing for another antibiotic given that I've been out for five weeks? I'm feeling marginally better, but my chest is still sensitive and I have zero energy. Has anyone dealt with something similar? I'm following my doctor's advice, but I can't help feeling anxious.

Steven Murphy2 said:I could say the exact same thing. I’ve had two ultrasounds—results came back clean—but the anxiety hasn't budged. It’s surreal. An ultrasound can’t detect what I can actually feel under my skin. Look, if I have a toothache, I go to the dentist; I’m not the type to just sit there pretending everything is fine. So now, apparently, I’m supposed to trick myself into sitting through endless sessions with some psychiatrist or psychologist or whatever. It just won't let go. And I passed my last psych evaluation without any issues, so that doesn't help. The worst part? Nobody takes me seriously. I spent my own money on private specialists and got nothing out of it. They keep insisting there’s nothing there because they can't see it, but I can feel it. It feels like falling down, seeing blood everywhere, and having everyone tell you that you aren't even bleeding.

It’s the same story for everyone. Hypochondria is usually just a mask for deep-seated anxiety, much like OCD. When life gets stressful, the health fears and physical pains ramp up right along with it. Anyone who has actually sat down with a therapist has been through the ringer first—endless blood work, thyroid tests, MRIs, CT scans—you name it. Eventually, you just have to accept that it’s all in your head and stop living in fear. That's when you finally seek professional help.

nimblebadger8 said:It’s good you’re starting to manage your sugar levels.

Since we're talking about potential diabetes here, I have a few questions.

Have you consulted a doctor about specific foods yet? Did they give you any advice on managing hypoglycemia?
Can you tell me more about those bouts of nausea? Any headaches?

No, nothing is official yet. Apparently, I need three elevated readings before they refer me for an OGTT, then we'll see.
I’m still holding out hope it isn't anything serious, but I’ve definitely cut out refined carbs—bread, pasta, potatoes, snacks—and I've cut sugar out entirely. I plan to get more serious about exercise; so far it's just been walking, cycling, and yoga. I didn't gain weight, but stress, carb-loading, sugar, and being too sedentary brought me to this point.
Given my experience with Blue Cross, I doubt I'll get any actual guidance even if it is diabetes. It'll likely be the same as always: I'll end up paying out of pocket and researching what to eat on my own.

I’m fully committed to this thread. A few days ago, my blood work came back showing high glucose levels—7.3 on an empty stomach. Quite a shock.

To start, I cut out all sugar and drastically reduced my carb intake. I'm moving toward a low-carb approach. Breakfast is either eggs or oatmeal from Trader Joe's with some homemade kefir, or just eggs. Zero sugar. For liquids, it's just water or black coffee. No processed foods, bread, pastries, or potatoes. However, stress seems to be driving my numbers up too. That's something I need to manage. I'm heading back for more blood tests soon to see where I stand. Apparently, you need three separate readings to confirm a diabetes diagnosis.

Honestly, after suddenly cutting the sugar and carbs, my body went through a literal withdrawal phase. Intense nausea, weakness... it's passed now. I just hope it isn't too late to get these numbers under control.

stormygull86 said:Like the title says, almost every time I catch a cold, I get this stinging sensation in my nose, usually hitting hardest at night. When I breathe through it, it feels like the lining has been stripped raw—like I’m inhaling nothing but bone-dry air. Once that stinging kicks in, it feels like my nostrils have been over-cleansed or scraped thin. Sometimes it's both sides, sometimes just one. It happens every single year. I tell myself I'm done with it, but here I am, starting a thread hoping someone else dealt with this and found a fix. My nose is running constantly too, to the point where I can barely tilt my head down, though I assume that's normal 🙂. If anyone has faced this, please help 😁. This constant stinging is infuriating; once it starts, it’s all I can think about. It's genuinely aggravating 😁.

Your mucous membranes are inflamed. Don't pick or blow your nose too hard. Keep things clean and try steam inhalation—not boiling, just a fine mist—to help the lining recover.

I just got my blood work back. My glucose was 7.3 on the test, and my cholesterol is right on the edge. Honestly, I’m pretty shaken up about it—both my father and grandfather dealt with diabetes, so the anxiety is real. I’m heading in for more testing and a full physical next. Given these numbers, is there a high probability that I'm looking at a diabetes diagnosis?

Thanks for any insight you can offer.

brightmason11 said:Hi everyone.

I grew up in a small town, and I’m hit by this overwhelming sense of nostalgia—or whatever you want to call it. Almost every evening, I walk up to a local hilltop where I can sit alone and look out over the entire community.

It’s hard to put into words—there's this tightness in my chest when I look at the houses and streets where there used to be so much laughter, so much life, so many kids...

A lot of people have passed away, but most just moved abroad. I find myself thinking about old friends who aren't here anymore—the backyard BBQs, playing soccer... I'm young, a college student; maybe I shouldn't be feeling this much sadness, but I can't help it. I'm still here with my family, though I'll be graduating soon—and I'll probably have to move away too.
How do you deal with this much nostalgia—or whatever this feeling actually is?

You don't. You just don't run from it. Let it hit you. Everyone goes through this, no matter where they are. Goodbyes suck, but life is full of them. Eventually, you'll find new places and new people. You say goodbye to some, while others are just starting their journey toward yours.

silverhawk9 said:I sometimes get this nagging impression that here in America, you practically have to apologize just for being in a good mood. It’s as if you need some monumental, earth-shattering reason to actually smile or show a bit of joy. Honestly, it isn't even the gloomy expressions of others that bother me—it’s that subtle pressure they exert on everyone else. There is this underlying assumption, this constant analysis, that we should all be just as miserable as they are. If we don't immediately start performing sadness to match their vibe, it’s like we're doing something wrong. But shouldn't everyone just live their own life? We don't all share the same desires, the same plans, or the same goals, right? What brings happiness to one person might mean nothing to another, yet some people just can't seem to grasp that our yardsticks for happiness aren't all carved from the same wood.

And look, I'm saying this as someone who—as I've mentioned before—isn't exactly what you'd call an eternal optimist, though I really do try my best to stay positive. I have my bad days just like anyone else, believe me. But when those moments hit, I tend to pull inward rather than walking around with a chip on my shoulder twenty-four hours a day.

I think it's actually the opposite more often. If you aren't grinning ear to ear or wearing a constant mask of happiness, you have to justify why you aren't "on." You're expected to be great all the time.
To me, it's perfectly normal for people not to smile constantly, or to have the right to be quiet or serious sometimes.
I ask if I can help, and if not, I leave it at that.
But when I hear about people being attacked for being reserved—especially at work, where you're forced to put on a fake grin—I just don't get it. I don't understand this fragility, this inability to accept that life is occasionally sad and occasionally happy. That's just reality. Some people are so anxious internally that they fear being near someone else's anxiety because it forces them to face their own. So instead, they push this "just smile" and "act like a clown" nonsense, pretending everything is perfect.🙂

velvetcobra65 said:But what happens when that "temporary" phase just becomes who you are? Like, am I supposed to be perpetually pissed off because I got a crappy birthday gift ten years ago? Or maybe my boss threatened to fire me three years ago (he hasn't yet)—so now I'm just going to stay bitter and depressed for the next million years without actually doing anything to change it?
Seriously though, I’ve had my fair share of rough patches too. I lost my mother unexpectedly, my dad is dealing with some potentially serious health issues, I've had a bad marriage, and I've dealt with people who definitely took advantage of me... but I still make an effort to smile. I genuinely care about people. I believe in them. It doesn't cost me anything to smile at someone passing by or to strike up a conversation with a stranger. And when I ask, "How are you?", I actually mean it. I want to hear the real answer, not just the polite script. Because honestly, what’s the point of living if we just assume everything is bleak and hopeless? There are so many people out there—don't you notice how gray everything feels when you walk down a street and don't see a single smiling face?

This is the cold, hard truth. When I lived in London, it was the first time I realized how much more carefree and bright people could be. It made me realize how normalized it has become here to see nothing but grim, anxious faces.
Over there, regardless of age or race, people have smiles. They don't carry that heavy weight on their expressions. On the very day I moved back to the States, I saw a girl, maybe seventeen, on a subway with a look of pure anxiety etched on her face. She lacked that lightness; she just had frustration and worry. You don't realize it until you experience the difference, because you assume this is just how things are. It isn't. It's just how our society turned out. Not enough jobs for everyone, so it's just a constant, exhausting struggle.

Bradley Ortiz2 said:Personally, I can't stand anything fake—not even a false positive.

Sent from my D5103 via Reddit

Same here. Dealing with an honest person who speaks candidly about their struggles isn't exhausting. But the false positivity—that shallow attempt to dodge sadness or run away from real problems by pretending everything is perfect—is draining. It’s irritating.

Jeremy Fowler45 said:I actually had the exact opposite experience...
I got into a relationship, then married, then pregnant...
Throughout all that, I really tried to stay close with my best friend, who was also my maid of honor...
But she just started dodging me more and more, pulling away completely...
That’s exactly when the shift happened—just total radio silence without any explanation...

The same thing happened to my husband with his best friend...
His wife wouldn't let him go anywhere—no grabbing drinks or coffee with the guys...
Eventually, she started hating everyone he hung out with and did her best to isolate him from the whole group, and since he's a bit of a pushover, he just let it happen...

People just straight-up surrender that little slice of privacy and personal freedom they should be holding onto, no matter if they're dating or married...
Being tethered to one person like an umbilical cord is definitely not healthy...

It's insecurity. I hear those same sentiments from plenty of young people, and they say it with pride. Once they marry, there are no more solo outings, only joint ones. Probably how their parents raised them. And they're terrified that if they go out, their partner might go out too—and they aren't ready for that.

goldenhound32 said:@Simpsons
Sorry you didn't care for it. I actually enjoyed myself. I suppose I just have a soft spot for stage-to-screen adaptations. Pure, unadulterated drama. That’s my thing.

Here we have a patriarch who always gets the final word. I watched it without subtitles, so it didn't really matter. 🙂

I enjoy those kinds of movies, but this one didn't hit the mark for me. It felt hollow. Boring. Films like August: Osage County or The Judge—those actually resonate. This was just lukewarm.

After finishing a course of antibiotics, I ended up with hemorrhoids. It’s uncomfortable, painful, and they've flared out. I've been using some over-the-counter ointment from the pharmacy, but a friend suggested switching to Detralex tablets. Should I jump straight to the pills, considering it's been three days since they appeared, or should I stick with the ointment first? There's no bleeding, but they're quite swollen and causing a lot of irritation.